Powering through the day drinking coffee until it's acceptable to drink wine.

Holiday: Not What I Expected

Published July 6, 2017

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⇒ Holiday Interrupted ⇐

This Independence Day holiday was to be spent at my sister’s beach house. Since Gary had to work on Monday, we would head out after work that evening. We were to have wine and grill bratwurst and just enjoy the company of two of my sister’s and each other. The next day we would probably go for a beach walk, light up the Green Egg and grill pork ribs. An early dinner would have also included potato salad and homemade baked beans and a Fruit Compote topped with that incredible Lemon Sweet Cream that I blogged about in the past.

Then on Monday morning, I got the call. My younger sister needs a ride to the doctor because she has a kidney stone. She knows this because she had one many years ago and that pain is excruciating and something you never forget. It is a long story that I am sure you do not need nor want the details. Anyone who has had or knows anyone who has had a kidney stone is aware that getting rid of one is not a simple process. So we did what our family always does which is “circle the wagons, ” and each of us did what needed to be done for my sister. Suffice it to say our holiday was interrupted; no parade, no fireworks and no Green Egg. My blog posting was disrupted as well. My sister is doing better. We will cook the ribs next weekend. Spending time with family is really all that matters.

Monday becomes Tuesday

So with the situation now under control, our Monday dinner plan became our default July 4th dinner since we all had no time to do the prep work for all the homemade goodies planned for the holiday. Dinner is brats with grilled onions, corn on the cobb, locally grown heirloom tomato Caprese salad, potato chips with a homemade buffalo-style chip dip and wine. Simple. Easy. Then there was this watermelon that was for “the holiday dinner” but Miss “I have a Kidney Stone” said she wanted it now. So, of course, the sick person always wins, we cut up the melon. At which point I said, “hey, lets put it in the Caprese salad. Rather than mix it in, my sister creates a place for the melon in the middle fo the platter. Not what I meant but ok, I go with it. I drizzle balsamic glaze on the melon, and we sit down to eat. My sister is shocked at how delicious the watermelon is when I tell her to blend it into her salad. I just smile and nod. Ok, she gets it. Next time the melon gets layered into the salad.

Caprese Salad with Watermelon

Ingredients

Tomatoes, sliced (one tomato per two people)

Fresh Mozzarella, sliced (one ball of cheese per 4 people)

Watermelon, sliced (similar size as tomato and cheese)

Fresh Basil leaves, rough chop or julienne

Balsamic glaze

Olive oil

Salt

Preparation

There is no way to measure this out because it depends on how many people you are serving.You can arrange slices on a platter alternating between tomato, cheese, and watermelon or you can go the chunk route and mix it all in a bowl. At this point, if you are not ready to serve, then cover and place in the refrigerator.

When ready to serve…

Lightly drizzle with olive oil and then the same with balsamic glaze.Salt to taste.

Serve immediately once dressed.

Holiday Wine

To drink we went with one of our new favorites this year; the Domaine Paul Thomas * Sancerre – Chavignol Rosé 2016. I reviewed it back in April and it is still one of our top picks for the season. Read about it here. And if you are local call The Wine Shop on Lockwood and make sure they have it. Then run, do not walk to go get it. This is a great bottle of wine for under $25.00

One more thing

I gotta tell you that Sticky Coconut Rice from last Sunday’s dinner is the bomb! Of course, I made too much and I had lots of leftovers.

Allow me to share with you a great little treat for breakfast or dessert. I remember seeing this on menus in Thailand and Myanmar. So good! Add about a 1/4 cup of coconut milk beverage to the leftover rice. Stir it in and then heat up the rice in the microwave. Be sure to add enough “milk” to turn this into a dry porridge. Chop up some of the jarred mango slices (you can also use any canned or jarred fruit, ie peaches, mandarin oranges, etc.). Sprinkle with a touch of sugar if you want it sweeter but that is all there is to it. Simple and Super Delicious!

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